TOPIC:

I have FH Server v.4.0.9.1 running on a Windows 10 machine that just updated to Windows v.2004 build 19041.388.
After the update I added the \Desktop folders.
FH Server logging returns "MS Excel could not be startet. One reason can be, Excel is not installed on this
computer?"

The Flowheater definitions work as expected when run from Flowheater Designer.
The Flowheater Server executes other aspects of the task as expected. It it set to watch for a file and the fire a definition. That part works. 

I have done the following:
Uninstalled and re-installed FH Server.
Assigned two different users with admin rights to the Flowheater Service on installation, with user names such as .\Flowheater.
Rebooted before and after uninstalls and re-installs.
Logged in as each user and opened Excel.

This is a similar issue as here:  https://flowheater.net/forum-en/server/855-flowheater-server-failing-after-windows-10-update  - in that the Windows update seems to cause the problem.

I realize i am using an older version of Flowheater. I am wiling to upgrade to the latest version. 

Right now I need to get it working asap.

Here is the logging data:

2020-08-03 14:58:52.541112 [Debug] (ListenerNamedPipe) : Client connected: DoRequest() RequestType=GetStatus 565/772
2020-08-03 14:58:52.806666 [Info] (File Monitoring) : New file available: C:\A5Webroot\FreightZone\Posting\Uploads\JWSDistributingLLC.xlsx
2020-08-03 14:58:52.806666 [Info] (Worker 2) : Do Task: JWS Distributing LLC
2020-08-03 14:58:52.806666 [Debug] (Worker 2) : Create TEMP path C:\Program Files\FlowHeater Server V4_3\Temp\FHTask_dfc6a416-87a7-4d09-ac29-c7ea5279ea45
2020-08-03 14:58:52.806666 [Debug] (Worker 2) : Task [JWS Distributing LLC] Executing step Step 1
2020-08-03 14:58:52.806666 [Debug] (Worker 2) : Set environment variables TMP/TEMP to C:\Program Files\FlowHeater Server V4_3\Temp\FHTask_dfc6a416-87a7-4d09-ac29-c7ea5279ea45
2020-08-03 14:58:52.806666 [Debug] (Worker 2) : Start new process : C:\Program Files\FlowHeater Server V4_3\Versions\x64\4.0.9.1\FHBatch.exe /ReadFileName C:\A5Webroot\FreightZone\Posting\Uploads\JWSDistributingLLC.xlsx C:\Import\FlowHeater\CustomerDefinitions\JWSDistributingLLC.fhd
2020-08-03 14:58:53.540836 [Debug] (ListenerNamedPipe) : Client connected: DoRequest() RequestType=GetStatus 565/2780
2020-08-03 14:58:54.540633 [Debug] (ListenerNamedPipe) : DoRequestNotifyTaskStatus: TaskFinished=True, ID=dfc6a416-87a7-4d09-ac29-c7ea5279ea45 Read=0, Fitter=0, Write=0
2020-08-03 14:58:54.540633 [Debug] (ListenerNamedPipe) : Client connected: DoRequest() RequestType=NotifyTaskStatus 683/703
2020-08-03 14:58:54.540633 [Debug] (ListenerNamedPipe) : Client connected: DoRequest() RequestType=GetStatus 565/2256
2020-08-03 14:58:54.993649 [Debug] (Worker 2) : Task [JWS Distributing LLC], Step [Step 1] standard output:
FlowHeater (R) Batch Modul (64 Bit): Version 4.0.9.1
ServerTask: dfc6a416-87a7-4d09-ac29-c7ea5279ea45
Definition: C:\Import\FlowHeater\CustomerDefinitions\JWSDistributingLLC.fhd
Start: 8/3/2020 2:58:53 PM
MS Excel could not be startet. One reason can be, Excel is not installed on this computer?
2020-08-03 14:58:54.993649 [Error] (Worker 2) : Task [JWS Distributing LLC], Step [Step 1] error output:
MS Excel could not be startet. One reason can be, Excel is not installed on this computer?

Hello Joe,

Sorry for the delay. I´ve made some tests and it seems this issue is related to the latest Windows 10 2004 Update. I´m currently looking for a solution. I´ll get back to you as soon as the issue is solved.

Hello Joe,

Short update. I´ve tried now a complete new installation of Windows 10 2004. Herewith the FlowHeater Server can perform Excel Automation as expected.

I´ll keep you informed.

Any progress on this?

Hi Joe,

Not really I did a lot of test with the Windows 10 2004 Version. Just in case of an update to version Windows 10 2004 this issue occurs sometimes. As soon as I setup a new virtual PC with Windows 10 version 2004 and the latest Office/Excel version this work fine every time.

I´ve also compared the user profiles, account setting and of course the security and access right. It seems everything is the same.

Nevertheless, attached you´ll find a short console program “ExcelBatch.exe”. Please Execute this one time manually via doubleclick and one time over a server task. The application just wants to activate an Excel COM object, prints out the current Office/Excel version and close Excel at the end. In case of an error a bit more information will be stored. Hopefully this can help to solve the issue.

The application writes/append a log file ExcelBatch.log in the same directory. Please post the result of the two request.

Here is the log from executing manually:
2020-08-21 11:39:34.870423 : ### Start ####################################################
2020-08-21 11:39:34.881384 : ApartmentState=MTA
2020-08-21 11:39:34.882382 : !!! User has no admin rights !!!
2020-08-21 11:39:34.883379 : UserInteractive = True
2020-08-21 11:39:34.884376 : Directory [C:\WINDOWS\SysWOW64\config\systemprofile\Desktop] ok
2020-08-21 11:39:34.889363 : Directory [C:\WINDOWS\SysWOW64\config\systemprofile\Desktop] Write Access OK
2020-08-21 11:39:34.890360 : Directory [C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\Desktop] ok
2020-08-21 11:39:34.896344 : Directory [C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\Desktop] Write Access OK
2020-08-21 11:39:34.897342 : Directory [C:\WINDOWS\SysWOW64\config\systemprofile\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft] not exist!
2020-08-21 11:39:34.898339 : Directory [C:\WINDOWS\SysWOW64\config\systemprofile\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft] created
2020-08-21 11:39:34.902329 : Directory [C:\WINDOWS\SysWOW64\config\systemprofile\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft] Write Access OK
2020-08-21 11:39:34.903325 : Directory [C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft] ok
2020-08-21 11:39:34.908313 : Directory [C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft] Write Access OK
2020-08-21 11:39:34.909325 : Directory [C:\WINDOWS\SysWOW64\config\systemprofile\AppData\Local\Microsoft] ok
2020-08-21 11:39:34.915293 : Directory [C:\WINDOWS\SysWOW64\config\systemprofile\AppData\Local\Microsoft] Write Access OK
2020-08-21 11:39:34.916291 : Directory [C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\AppData\Local\Microsoft] ok
2020-08-21 11:39:34.920280 : Directory [C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\AppData\Local\Microsoft] Write Access OK
2020-08-21 11:39:34.921278 :

---

2020-08-21 11:39:34.921278 : Logical Drives
2020-08-21 11:39:34.922277 :

---

2020-08-21 11:39:34.923283 : C:\
2020-08-21 11:39:34.923283 : D:\
2020-08-21 11:39:34.924270 : E:\
2020-08-21 11:39:34.924270 : F:\
2020-08-21 11:39:34.925269 : J:\
2020-08-21 11:39:34.926266 :

---

2020-08-21 11:39:34.927263 : Environment Variables
2020-08-21 11:39:34.927263 :

---

2020-08-21 11:39:34.928259 : Path = C:\WINDOWS\system32;C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\System32\Wbem;C:\WINDOWS\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\;C:\WINDOWS\System32\OpenSSH\;C:\Users\Joe Lavely\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps;
2020-08-21 11:39:34.929256 : SESSIONNAME = Console
2020-08-21 11:39:34.929256 : PATHEXT = .COM;.EXE;.BAT;.CMD;.VBS;.VBE;.JS;.JSE;.WSF;.WSH;.MSC
2020-08-21 11:39:34.930267 : USERDOMAIN = WS2
2020-08-21 11:39:34.930267 : PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE = x86
2020-08-21 11:39:34.931251 : ProgramW6432 = C:\Program Files
2020-08-21 11:39:34.931251 : DriverData = C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\DriverData
2020-08-21 11:39:34.932255 : PUBLIC = C:\Users\Public
2020-08-21 11:39:34.933246 : APPDATA = C:\Users\Joe Lavely\AppData\Roaming
2020-08-21 11:39:34.933246 : windir = C:\WINDOWS
2020-08-21 11:39:34.934250 : LOCALAPPDATA = C:\Users\Joe Lavely\AppData\Local
2020-08-21 11:39:34.934250 : CommonProgramW6432 = C:\Program Files\Common Files
2020-08-21 11:39:34.935240 : OneDrive = C:\Users\Joe Lavely\OneDrive
2020-08-21 11:39:34.935240 : USERPROFILE = C:\Users\Joe Lavely
2020-08-21 11:39:34.936237 : ProgramFiles = C:\Program Files (x86)
2020-08-21 11:39:34.938232 : PROCESSOR_LEVEL = 6
2020-08-21 11:39:34.939229 : CommonProgramFiles(x86) = C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files
2020-08-21 11:39:34.939229 : HOMEPATH = \Users\Joe Lavely
2020-08-21 11:39:34.940227 : COMPUTERNAME = WS2
2020-08-21 11:39:34.940227 : PROCESSOR_ARCHITEW6432 = AMD64
2020-08-21 11:39:34.942223 : USERNAME = Joe Lavely
2020-08-21 11:39:34.943223 : NUMBER_OF_PROCESSORS = 4
2020-08-21 11:39:34.944217 : PROCESSOR_IDENTIFIER = Intel64 Family 6 Model 94 Stepping 3, GenuineIntel
2020-08-21 11:39:34.944217 : OneDriveConsumer = C:\Users\Joe Lavely\OneDrive
2020-08-21 11:39:34.945214 : ComSpec = C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe
2020-08-21 11:39:34.946219 : LOGONSERVER = \\WS2
2020-08-21 11:39:34.946219 : TEMP = C:\Users\JOELAV~1\AppData\Local\Temp
2020-08-21 11:39:34.947208 : ProgramFiles(x86) = C:\Program Files (x86)
2020-08-21 11:39:34.947208 : CommonProgramFiles = C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files
2020-08-21 11:39:34.948213 : __COMPAT_LAYER = DetectorsAppHealth
2020-08-21 11:39:34.948213 : TMP = C:\Users\JOELAV~1\AppData\Local\Temp
2020-08-21 11:39:34.949203 : USERDOMAIN_ROAMINGPROFILE = WS2
2020-08-21 11:39:34.949203 : PROCESSOR_REVISION = 5e03
2020-08-21 11:39:34.950200 : SystemRoot = C:\WINDOWS
2020-08-21 11:39:34.950200 : PSModulePath = C:\Program Files\WindowsPowerShell\Modules;C:\WINDOWS\system32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\Modules
2020-08-21 11:39:34.951198 : ALLUSERSPROFILE = C:\ProgramData
2020-08-21 11:39:34.953193 : SystemDrive = C:
2020-08-21 11:39:34.954190 : OS = Windows_NT
2020-08-21 11:39:34.955187 : ProgramData = C:\ProgramData
2020-08-21 11:39:34.955187 : HOMEDRIVE = C:
2020-08-21 11:39:34.956196 :

---

2020-08-21 11:39:34.957182 : Create Excel Object
2020-08-21 11:39:35.697134 : Excel Version = 16.0
2020-08-21 11:39:35.698131 : Get Workbooks Object
2020-08-21 11:39:35.701091 : Call Excel.Quit()
2020-08-21 11:39:35.705080 : ExitCode = 0
2020-08-21 11:39:35.706077 : ### End ######################################################
2020-08-21 11:39:35.707078 : 

Here is the log when executed via FH Server:
2020-08-21 11:44:01.255462 : ### Start ####################################################
2020-08-21 11:44:01.264382 : ApartmentState=MTA
2020-08-21 11:44:01.265374 : User has admin rights
2020-08-21 11:44:01.266370 : UserInteractive = False
2020-08-21 11:44:01.267368 : Directory [C:\WINDOWS\SysWOW64\config\systemprofile\Desktop] ok
2020-08-21 11:44:01.275346 : Directory [C:\WINDOWS\SysWOW64\config\systemprofile\Desktop] Write Access OK
2020-08-21 11:44:01.275346 : Directory [C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\Desktop] ok
2020-08-21 11:44:01.281330 : Directory [C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\Desktop] Write Access OK
2020-08-21 11:44:01.283324 : Directory [C:\WINDOWS\SysWOW64\config\systemprofile\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft] ok
2020-08-21 11:44:01.289324 : Directory [C:\WINDOWS\SysWOW64\config\systemprofile\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft] Write Access OK
2020-08-21 11:44:01.290306 : Directory [C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft] ok
2020-08-21 11:44:01.296296 : Directory [C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft] Write Access OK
2020-08-21 11:44:01.296296 : Directory [C:\WINDOWS\SysWOW64\config\systemprofile\AppData\Local\Microsoft] ok
2020-08-21 11:44:01.302308 : Directory [C:\WINDOWS\SysWOW64\config\systemprofile\AppData\Local\Microsoft] Write Access OK
2020-08-21 11:44:01.303271 : Directory [C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\AppData\Local\Microsoft] ok
2020-08-21 11:44:01.308297 : Directory [C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\systemprofile\AppData\Local\Microsoft] Write Access OK
2020-08-21 11:44:01.309255 :

---

2020-08-21 11:44:01.310253 : Logical Drives
2020-08-21 11:44:01.310253 :

---

2020-08-21 11:44:01.311254 : C:\
2020-08-21 11:44:01.311254 : D:\
2020-08-21 11:44:01.312248 : E:\
2020-08-21 11:44:01.312248 : F:\
2020-08-21 11:44:01.313249 : J:\
2020-08-21 11:44:01.313249 :

---

2020-08-21 11:44:01.314253 : Environment Variables
2020-08-21 11:44:01.315251 :

---

2020-08-21 11:44:01.315251 : Path = C:\WINDOWS\system32;C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\System32\Wbem;C:\WINDOWS\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\;C:\WINDOWS\System32\OpenSSH\;C:\Users\Joe Lavely\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps
2020-08-21 11:44:01.316237 : PATHEXT = .COM;.EXE;.BAT;.CMD;.VBS;.VBE;.JS;.JSE;.WSF;.WSH;.MSC
2020-08-21 11:44:01.316237 : USERDOMAIN = WS2
2020-08-21 11:44:01.317234 : PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE = x86
2020-08-21 11:44:01.317234 : ProgramW6432 = C:\Program Files
2020-08-21 11:44:01.318255 : DriverData = C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\DriverData
2020-08-21 11:44:01.318255 : PUBLIC = C:\Users\Public
2020-08-21 11:44:01.318255 : APPDATA = C:\Users\Joe Lavely\AppData\Roaming
2020-08-21 11:44:01.319229 : windir = C:\WINDOWS
2020-08-21 11:44:01.319229 : LOCALAPPDATA = C:\Users\Joe Lavely\AppData\Local
2020-08-21 11:44:01.319229 : CommonProgramW6432 = C:\Program Files\Common Files
2020-08-21 11:44:01.320226 : OneDrive = C:\Users\Joe Lavely\OneDrive
2020-08-21 11:44:01.320226 : USERPROFILE = C:\Users\Joe Lavely
2020-08-21 11:44:01.320226 : ProgramFiles = C:\Program Files (x86)
2020-08-21 11:44:01.321224 : PROCESSOR_LEVEL = 6
2020-08-21 11:44:01.321224 : CommonProgramFiles(x86) = C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files
2020-08-21 11:44:01.321224 : HOMEPATH = \Users\Joe Lavely
2020-08-21 11:44:01.322220 : COMPUTERNAME = WS2
2020-08-21 11:44:01.322220 : PROCESSOR_ARCHITEW6432 = AMD64
2020-08-21 11:44:01.322220 : USERNAME = Joe Lavely
2020-08-21 11:44:01.323218 : NUMBER_OF_PROCESSORS = 4
2020-08-21 11:44:01.323218 : PROCESSOR_IDENTIFIER = Intel64 Family 6 Model 94 Stepping 3, GenuineIntel
2020-08-21 11:44:01.324217 : ProgramFiles(x86) = C:\Program Files (x86)
2020-08-21 11:44:01.324217 : OneDriveConsumer = C:\Users\Joe Lavely\OneDrive
2020-08-21 11:44:01.325213 : ComSpec = C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe
2020-08-21 11:44:01.325213 : LOGONSERVER = \\WS2
2020-08-21 11:44:01.325213 : TEMP = C:\Program Files\FlowHeater Server V4\Temp\FHTask_0d853903-0ee3-419c-9a5e-fecc029b2ee8
2020-08-21 11:44:01.326210 : FlowHeaterServerTaskGuid = 0d853903-0ee3-419c-9a5e-fecc029b2ee8
2020-08-21 11:44:01.326210 : CommonProgramFiles = C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files
2020-08-21 11:44:01.326210 : __COMPAT_LAYER = RunAsAdmin
2020-08-21 11:44:01.327208 : TMP = C:\Program Files\FlowHeater Server V4\Temp\FHTask_0d853903-0ee3-419c-9a5e-fecc029b2ee8
2020-08-21 11:44:01.327208 : USERDOMAIN_ROAMINGPROFILE = WS2
2020-08-21 11:44:01.328205 : PROCESSOR_REVISION = 5e03
2020-08-21 11:44:01.328205 : SystemRoot = C:\WINDOWS
2020-08-21 11:44:01.328205 : PSModulePath = %ProgramFiles%\WindowsPowerShell\Modules;C:\WINDOWS\system32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\Modules
2020-08-21 11:44:01.329202 : ALLUSERSPROFILE = C:\ProgramData
2020-08-21 11:44:01.329202 : SystemDrive = C:
2020-08-21 11:44:01.329202 : OS = Windows_NT
2020-08-21 11:44:01.330200 : ProgramData = C:\ProgramData
2020-08-21 11:44:01.330200 : HOMEDRIVE = C:
2020-08-21 11:44:01.330200 :

---

2020-08-21 11:44:01.331197 : Create Excel Object
2020-08-21 11:44:01.356296 : !!! Error !!!
2020-08-21 11:44:01.356296 : Retrieving the COM class factory for component with CLSID {00024500-0000-0000-C000-000000000046} failed due to the following error: 80070520 A specified logon session does not exist. It may already have been terminated. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x80070520).
2020-08-21 11:44:01.359288 : mscorlib
2020-08-21 11:44:01.360285 :    at System.Runtime.Remoting.RemotingServices.AllocateUninitializedObject(RuntimeType objectType)
   at System.Runtime.Remoting.Activation.ActivationServices.CreateInstance(RuntimeType serverType)
   at System.Runtime.Remoting.Activation.ActivationServices.IsCurrentContextOK(RuntimeType serverType, Object[] props, Boolean bNewObj)
   at System.RuntimeTypeHandle.CreateInstance(RuntimeType type, Boolean publicOnly, Boolean noCheck, Boolean& canBeCached, RuntimeMethodHandleInternal& ctor, Boolean& bNeedSecurityCheck)
   at System.RuntimeType.CreateInstanceSlow(Boolean publicOnly, Boolean skipCheckThis, Boolean fillCache, StackCrawlMark& stackMark)
   at System.RuntimeType.CreateInstanceDefaultCtor(Boolean publicOnly, Boolean skipCheckThis, Boolean fillCache, StackCrawlMark& stackMark)
   at System.Activator.CreateInstance(Type type, Boolean nonPublic)
   at System.Activator.CreateInstance(Type type)
   at ExcelBatch.Program.Main(String[] args)
2020-08-21 11:44:01.360285 : System.Runtime.InteropServices.COMException (0x80070520): Retrieving the COM class factory for component with CLSID {00024500-0000-0000-C000-000000000046} failed due to the following error: 80070520 A specified logon session does not exist. It may already have been terminated. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x80070520).
   at System.Runtime.Remoting.RemotingServices.AllocateUninitializedObject(RuntimeType objectType)
   at System.Runtime.Remoting.Activation.ActivationServices.CreateInstance(RuntimeType serverType)
   at System.Runtime.Remoting.Activation.ActivationServices.IsCurrentContextOK(RuntimeType serverType, Object[] props, Boolean bNewObj)
   at System.RuntimeTypeHandle.CreateInstance(RuntimeType type, Boolean publicOnly, Boolean noCheck, Boolean& canBeCached, RuntimeMethodHandleInternal& ctor, Boolean& bNeedSecurityCheck)
   at System.RuntimeType.CreateInstanceSlow(Boolean publicOnly, Boolean skipCheckThis, Boolean fillCache, StackCrawlMark& stackMark)
   at System.RuntimeType.CreateInstanceDefaultCtor(Boolean publicOnly, Boolean skipCheckThis, Boolean fillCache, StackCrawlMark& stackMark)
   at System.Activator.CreateInstance(Type type, Boolean nonPublic)
   at System.Activator.CreateInstance(Type type)
   at ExcelBatch.Program.Main(String[] args)
2020-08-21 11:44:01.361282 : !!! Error !!!
2020-08-21 11:44:01.361282 : ExitCode = -1
2020-08-21 11:44:01.362280 : ### End ######################################################
2020-08-21 11:44:01.362280 : 

Hello Joe,

Thanks for the logs. I digging a bit deeper into the analysis. I´ll get back to you as soon as I got news about.

Hello Joe,

Short Update. Now I´ve tested an update from Windows 10 1909 to 2004. For this test I´ve been using a Windows ISO image for the update and not the automatically download. After this update I wasn´t able to start Microsoft Excel manually as well. I´ve just reinstalled Excel and created the two Desktop folders, afterward the FlowHeater Server was able to perform task with involved FlowHeater Excel definitions again.
Now I´m going to test the automatically Windows download update. May I ask you In the meanwhile to uninstall, reboot und install your complete Office/Excel installation again. I know you already performed this in the past, Thanks.

Hi Joe,

Now I performed another Windows 10 update from Version 1909 up to 2004. Hereby I used the official downloaded version. In this case, Excel runs afterwards manually without any problems but I wasn´t able to execute a FlowHeater Server Task with an involved Excel Adapter . I get again the same error as you.

I uninstalled Microsoft Office/Excel and rebooted my virtual PC. Afterwards I installed Microsoft Office/Excel again and my previously created FlowHeater Server Excel Task works as expected.

Like I mentioned before please try again the complete uninstallation/reinstallation of Microsoft Office/Excel. From my perspective it should work now.

I have been traveling and just got back. I will perform the office uninstall/reinstall, but it may be next week before I get to it.

Did anyone figure out what the root cause of this error is?

I never found the cause or a solution. For me, Flowheater Server has had a history of issues with Excel, especially after Windows updates. So I abandoned using FH Server to process FH definitions that use Excel. I wrote my own code to watch for files, then fire a batch file that executes the definition. 
Now I don't have to deal with this problem, and possible future problems with FH & Excel.
I never did uninstall and re-install MS Office or Flowheater. Also I am on an old version of FH. It may be that this has been addressed in the latest version.

Thanks for the quick response.  I'm having a very similar problem with another product.